Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Links as '100%' Gossip
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded fresh reports linking him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea boss in June 2024, is under contract that runs until 2029, with a potential extra year available.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is little room for these kind of things."
He went on to explain, Primarily, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off.
Strain Following Previous Comments
Maresca's latest statement come in the wake of he described a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.
Those initial remarks had fueled widespread talk of a potential rift between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's sporting directors, Maresca replied, "We are in the same building, so we talk about various topics. But about the post-Everton press conference, no."
The manager did confirm he would "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and called on supporters to keep backing the team".
In brighter news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back sooner than expected, potentially available for a match against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Perspective: An 'Open Wound'
The perceived strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still cause concern.
While there has been no further escalation of the situation in the open, there has also been no resolution forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.
The mood during these press conferences has grown notably awkward, leading to concerns it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the campaign.
Chelsea's sporting position is positive: they are fourth in the league, have reached the League Cup last four, and can secure a favourable Champions League draw with strong results in their remaining games.
The lingering uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might begin to disrupt a team that was just starting to look cohesive.